HE used to don rugby the black and amber jersey for Newport RFC, but now Nathan Palmer is creating his own range of men's knitwear.

A series of muscular injuries meant 26-year-old Mr Palmer had to break away from rugby and focused his attention on fashion, a hobby he had since his teenage years.

Mr Palmer has now launched his own clothing band with his partner Jessica Smith, 22.

Their clothing brand Rimae features a series of cardigans made of bamboo fibres.

But they are also hoping to branch out into denim jeans, organic shirts and a women’s range.

Mr Palmer said he was interested in fashion as a teenager and used to customise his own and his friends’ clothes.

Mr Palmer's parents moved to Ringland when they came to the UK from Jamaica, and his grandparents still live there.

He started off his rugby career for Newport’s under 21s at the age of 20 before being fast-tracked to play as a winger for the first team because of his speed.

His speed came from doing athletics at school which he started at the age of 11.

Mr Palmer ran for Great Britain and trained with Colin Jackson.

He said he always had an interest in playing rugby and was invited to have a go at the sport during his time at school.

He said: “The great thing about athletics is that it’s a summer sport. But rugby is extremely physical and not so lonely.”

Mr Palmer took a break from rugby for around three years and completed a degree in fashion design at Newport University.

He said: “I wanted something solid for the future.”

He has recently taken rugby back up and has played his first season for Glamorgan Wanderers.

Mr Palmer, who set up Rimae last year with Ms Smith, said: “It’s quite daunting starting a business on your own but it’s going really well.”

Mr Palmer designs the clothes which are then made for them and they sell on to different shops.

They have already had some success in selling to a shop in Cardiff but are also hoping to sell to outlets in Newport, Bath and London.